Ski binding with regulated release

ABSTRACT

The force required to release a ski binding is regulated by a spring the compression of which is controlled by a lever, one end of which bears on the spring and the other rests on a fixed support of selected height providing a fulcrum for the lever. A rotatable shaft extends through an elongated slot in an intermediate portion of the lever and has a head bearing on the upper face of the lever while at the opposite end there is a radially projecting pin engageable with a fixed helical ramp. Adjustment of spring tension within a selected range is provided by a single turn of the shaft which is provided with indexing means to indicate the rotational position of the shaft and hence the corresponding spring pressure. Different ranges of spring pressure are provided by positioning the fulcrum end of the lever on one or another steps of a stationary stepped support or in one or another position on a stationary inclined plane. The lever is positioned longitudinally by means of a key member to assure that it is retained in the selected position of the support.

nited States Patent [191 Vouthier [451 July 9,1974

[ SKI BINDING WITH REGULATEI) RELEASE [75] Inventor: Marcel Vouthier, Cluses, France [73] Assignee: Etablissements Carpano & Pons S.A., Cluses, France 22 Filed: Oct. 18,1972 21 'Appl. No.: 298,571

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct; 19, 1971 France 71.37785 [52] us. c|..... 2s0/11.3s-T [51] Int. Cl. A63C 9/08 [58] Field of Search 280/1135 T [56] I References Cited V UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,572,737 3/1971 Smolka. 280/1135 T 3,617,069 11/1971 Salom0n..... 280/1135 T Primary Examiner-Robert R. Song Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Robert E. Burns; Emmanuel J. Lobato; Bruce'L. Adams ABSTRACT The force required to release a ski binding is regulated by a spring the compression of which is controlled by a lever, one end of which bears on the spring and the other rests on a fixed support of selected height providing a fulcrum for the lever. A rotatable shaft extends through an elongated slot in an intermediate portion of the lever and has a head bearing on the upper face of the lever while at the ,opposite end there is a radially projecting pin engageable with a fixed helical ramp. Adjustment of spring tension within a selected range is provided by a single turn of the shaft which is provided with indexing means to indicate the rotational position of the shaft and hence the corresponding spring pressure. Different ranges of spring pressure are provided by positioning the fulcrum end of the lever on one or another steps of a stationary stepped support or in one or another position on a stationaryinclined plane. The lever is positioned longitudinally by means of a key member to assure that it is retained in the selected position of the support.

7 10 Claim 5 D aw n F gures 78a 11 18 19 10 9 5a 4 6 8 J 1 I 4a :rl'l 1: 1.1 l', ll L "a I \r\ \J l SKI BINDING WITH REGULATED RELEASE FIELD OF INVENTION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In known ski bindings of this kind, the regulation of the predetermined lateral force required for release of the boot in a given use is obtained by means of a regulating screw which adjusts the tension of an elastic system, usually a compression spring. The desired regulation is obtained by rotation of the screw, several turns of the screw being necessary to obtain optimum adjustment. Such an arrangement presents an inconvenience because of the fact that since a number of turns of the screw are necessary to make the adjustment, it is not possible visually to see what adjustment has been made by the angular position of the head of the screw with reference to a fixed point.

In other known arrangements, visual observation of the adjustment has been obtained by means of a supplemental mechanism such as an arrangement like a Maltese cross. Such mechanism has the disadvantage that it is necessary to employ a number of intermediate pieces which result in the cost of the fitting being increased. v

In other known arrangements, adjustment of the tension of the spring is obtained by means of a bolt and nut system which comprises means for adjustment within certain limits. However, such arrangements have inconveniences. For one thing it is necessary to employ pieces requiring complicated machining operations such as drawing, screw cutting, notching, milling, countersinking, etc. For another thing the choice of a single range of adjustment is predetermined by the manufacturer. This can be the cause of trial and error experimentation in the case where the user wishes to change the range of adjustment. Moreover, in order to effect such a change, it is necessary to remove the ski binding from the ski because the adjustment nut is accessible only from the bottom of the case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object ofLthe present invention to avoid the disadvantages and inconveniences referred to above. In accordance with the invention adjustment of the spring which regulates the force required to release the ski binding from the shoe is obtained by a single turn of a regulating shaft. The adjustment is visible and repeatable without requiring supplemental mechanism which complicates the mechanism and increases its cost. Moreover, the range of adjustment can be selected by the user without the need .of removing the ski binding from the ski.

The mechanism in accordance withthe invention comprises a lever of which one end is movable and bears approximately perpendicularly on a compression spring which acts directly on a locking ball while the other end of the lever is supported at a selected position by a fixed support which may be an inclined plane or a stepped or notched surface. Selection of an appropriate point on the inclined plane or an appropriate notch or step of the surface permits a wide range of adjustment.

The regulating lever is maintained in'contact with the spring and with the fixed support by the head of a regulating shaft located in a median part of the lever and disposed approximately perpendicular to the ski and to the lever. This shaft acts by rotation on means for regulating the compression of the spring by a single rotation of the shaft. According to one embodiment of the invention the means for regulating compression of the spring comprises a helical ramp which is fixed with reference to the case. The axis of the helix of the ramp is at least approximately coincident with the axis of the regulating shaft. A cylindrical pin fixed on the shaft and disposed approximately radially thereto engages the helical ramp and is constantly held in contact with the ramp by the action of the regulating spring.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the ramp is made in the form of a reversed helix so that the pin fixed to the regulating shaft slides to the high point of the ramp and returns to the low point in one revolution without it being necessary to turn the shaft in a reverse direction. Such construction avoids excessive compression of the spring which would prevent release of the binding. Moreover, a reference mark on the head of the shaft permits obtaining systematically the desired adjustment of tension on the spring.

As the point of support of the lever is at a variable distance from the axis of the regulating shaft, the lever is provided with an oblong aperture or slot through which the shaft extends. To prevent the lever from being displaced perpendicularly to the axis of the shaft and the point of support of the lever being thereby inadvertently displaced, an adjustable key or wedge is introduced into the oblong opening alongside the regulating shaft. The lever is thereby selectively located with reference to the shaft and hence with reference to the support providing a fulcrum for the lever.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The objects, advantages and characteristics of the mechanism in accordance with the present invention will appear from the following description of a preferred embodiment and modifications thereof shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a ski binding in accordance with the invention taken approximately on the line 1-1 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the ski binding;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmentary sections corresponding to a portion of FIG. l and showing modifications.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERREI? EMBODIMENT As shown by way of example in the drawings, a ski binding in accordance with the present invention comprises a base 1 fixed to the ski 2 by means of screws 3. The'base supports a case 4 rotatably mounted with respect to the base by means of a shaft 5 which is solid with the base 1 and is provided with a head 5a received in a recess in the upper face of the case 4. The case 4 supports jaws 6 designed to engage and retain the edges of the sole of the boot. In normal position of the ski binding, the case 4'is locked against rotation relative to the base 1 by a ball 7 which is pressed by a spring 8 into a recess or socket 1a provided in the upper face of the base 1. The spring 8 is disposed approximately vertically to the ski in a cylindrical recess 4a provided in the case 4. The upper end of the spring 8 extends above the upper face of the case 4 and engages an end portion of a movable lever 9, the other end of which is supported on one of the steps of a stepped support 10 which is fixed with respect to the case 4. Intermediate its ends and preferably somewhat closer to the end engaging the spring, the lever 9 is provided with an elongated opening or slot 11 to receive a rotatable regulating shaft 12 having a head 13 which bears on the upper face of the lever 9. At the end opposite the head 13, the shaft is provided with a radially projecting cylindrical pin 16 which is fixed with reference to the shaft. The pin 16 is constantly in contact with a helical ramp 14 the axis of which is substantially coincident with that of the shaft 12. The ramp 14 is formed in a cylindrical recess 17 in the case 4. The ramp 14 is preferably in the form of a reverse helix with an inclination in one axial direction for approximately 180 and an inclination in the opposite direction for the remaining 180 so that it returns to the starting point. To facilitate assembly, the case 4 is provided with a cut-out portion 15 opening into the recess 17. By pressure in the direction of the arrow F1 on the head 13 of the shaft 12, the spring 8 is compressed sufficiently so that a transverse hole provided in the shaft 12 to receive the pin 16 appears in the cut-out portion 15. The pin 16 is thereupon inserted in the hole in the shaft 12 and the pressure on the head 13 of the shaft is thereupon relaxed so that the shaft moves upwardly and the pin 16 is thereby confined in the cylindrical recess 17 the upper end of which is contoured to provide the ramp 14.

It will be seen that the right hand end of the lever 9 as viewed in FIG. 1 is selectively engageable with one or another of the steps of the stepped support 10 so as to provide a fulcrum of different heights for the lever. As seen in H0. 3 the lever 9 in plan view is trapezoidal with the narrower end engaging the spring. The support 10 is shown as comprising two laterally spaced support portions engaged by the wider end of the lever 9. Movement of the lever from one step to another entails lengthwise movement of the lever relative to the shaft 12, such movement being permitted by the elongated opening 11. In order to prevent the end of the lever 9 from slipping from one step to a lower step, means is provided for positioning the lever 9 in a lengthwise direction relative to the shaft 12. In the drawings such means is shown as comprising a rotatable indexing member or key 18 which is rotatably mounted on the lever 9 by means of an integral stub shaft portion 18a received in an opening in the lever. The key 18 is provided on its periphery with a plurality of arcuate recesses 20, 21, 22 and 23 which are engageable with the shaft 12 and are located at different distances from the axis of rotation of the key 18. The number of recesses provided in the periphery of the key 18 is equal to the number of steps on the stepped support 10 and the geometry of the key is selected so that when the key is turned so as to bring one or another of the recesses into engagement with the shaft 12, the lever 9 is positioned in a lengthwise direction relative to the shaft so as to bring the right hand end of the lever in position to engage the respective step of the stepped support 10. The shaft 18a of the key 18 fits into an opening in the lever 19 so that the key 18 can be removed, turned to the selected position and then reinserted. Alternatively, the key 18 can be permanently mounted for rotation on the lever 9 and provided with a suitable cam surface for engagement with the shaft 12.

The inclination or pitch of the helical ramp 14 is selected with respect to the frictional forces acting on the shaft 12 so that the shaft will remain in whatever position to which it is turned. The head of the shaft 13 may, if desired, be provided with a diametrically extending slot 13a to receive a coin, screwdriver or other tool for rotation of the shaft. Moreover, the head of the shaft is provided with an index 24 indicating the rotational position of the shaft so that the shaft can always be reset at a desired position. The degree of compression of the spring 8 can thereby be visually ascertained. Since the stepped support 10 and key 18 are also visible, the setting of the lever 9 with reference to the stepped support and hence the range of adjustment selected is also ascertainable visually.

In FIG. 4 there is shown a modification in which the stepped support 10 is replaced by an inclined plane 26. The position of the right hand end of the lever 9 with respect to the inclined plane 26 is determined by the position of the rotatable key 18. If the key 18 is provided with a continuous cam surface instead of peripheral recesses, stepless adjustment of the lever 9 with respect to the inclined plane can be obtained. In this event it is desirable to provide the rotatable key member 18 with a suitable index to indicate its rotational position.

In FIG. 5 there is shown a further modification in which the stepped support 10 of FIGS. 1 to 3 is replaced by a notched support 27. The notches in the support 27 are recessed or undercut so that the end of the lever 9 will not accidentally slip from one notch to another. With this construction the rotatable key member 18 can, if desired, be omitted.

The operation of a ski binding in accordance with the present invention as illustrated in the drawings is as follows. The end of the lever 9 opposite to that which engages the spring 8 is put inplace on one of the steps of the stepped support 10 according to the intended use of the skis. With the lever 9 thus supported on the stepped support 10 as a fulcrum, rotary movement of the regulating shaft 12 by means of the head 13 produces an angular displacement of the pin 13 on the helical ramp l4 and this in turn results in longitudinal displacement of the shaft 12 upwardly or downwardly. The head of the shaft 12 thus presses the lever 9 more or less downwardly so as to cause a greater or lesser compression of the spring 8 which acts directly on the ball 7 which locks the case 4 in normal operative position on the base 1. It will be seen that for the same position of rotation of the shaft 12, the positioning of the lever 9 on one or the other of the steps of the stepped support 10 causes a greater or lesser compression of the spring 8 and thus permits choice of a selected range of compression of the spring by rotation of the shaft 12 through a single revolution. In each range of compression provided by the selected step of the support 10, the index 24 on the head 13 of the shaft indicates the exact rotational position of the shaft and hence the degree of compression of the spring. If the shaft 12 is turned more than one revolution, the cylindrical pin 16 fixed on the shaft slides to the high point of the helical ramp and then down to the low point so that excessive compression of the regulating spring is avoided.

To prevent the lever 9 from falling from the step on which it has been placed to a lower step, the key member 18 is introduced into the opening provided in the lever 9 alongside the head 13 of the shaft 12. This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 3 from which it will be seen that the key 18 is asymmetrical. The arcuate faces 20, 21, 22 and 23 are situated at different distances from the axis of the key 18 and these distances are such that each corresponds to positioning the lever 9 on a respective step of the stepped support 10. Moreover, the key member 18 has a further advantage in the case where the supporting surface of adjustable height on which the lever rests is provided by a smooth inclined plane. In this case one of the faces 20, 21, 22 or 23 is pressed constantly against the head 13 of the shaft by reason of the combined action of the regulating spring 8 and the inclined plane 26 which tends to pivot the lever 9 against the lower face of the head 13 thereby displacing the lever in a direction toward its movable end as indicated by the arrow F2 in FIG. 4. The friction which results from engagement of the key 18 with the head 13 of the shaft '12 contributes to holding the shaft in the rotational position in which it has been selectively set by the user.

The binding in accordance with the invention can also be used for engagement with the heel of the boot and in all cases provides a precise and visually ascertainable regulation of the force of disengagement desired. While a preferred embodiment has been illustrated in the drawings and is herein described, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details of construction shown and described.

What l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A ski binding permitting separation of a boot from the ski upon application of predetermined lateral force, said binding comprising a base fixed on said ski, a case mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis and having boot-engaging jaws, detent means acting between said case and base to secure said case normally against rotation relative to said base, spring means having one portion thereof disposed in said case and acting on said detent means and means for regulating the force exerted by said spring means on said detent means, said regulating means comprising a lever bearing at one end on another portion of said spring means, means on said case for supporting the other end of said lever at a selected one of different heights, means maintaining said other end of said lever at the selected heights, manually operable actuating means acting on said lever intermediate its ends to vary the force of said spring means'on said detent means and means for visually indicating the position of said actuating means and hence the force applied by said spring means.

2. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises an inclined surface provided with notches for receiving said other end of said lever in one or another of said notches.

3. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises a smooth inclined plane engageable by said other end of said lever at selected 9 positions along said inclined plane and thus at different heights relative to said case.

4. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises a stepped surface the steps of which are selectively engageable by said other end a fulcrum to vary the force exerted by said spring means on said detent means upon rotation of said regulating shaft.

6. A ski binding according to claim 5, in which said cam means comprises a helical ramp fixed relative to said case with its axis approximately coincident with the'axis of rotation of said shaft and a radially projection on said shaft engaging said ramp.

7. A-ski binding according to claim 6, in which said ramp has the form of a reverse helix inclined in one axially direction for a portion of its extent and in the opposite direction for the remainder of its extent, whereby upon rotation of said shaft for one revolution in one direction said projection slides from a low point to a high point of said ramp and back to the starting point.

8. A ski binding according to claim 5, in which said supporting means comprises a stationary inclined sup.- port surface engageable by said other end of said lever, and wherein 'themaintaining means associated with said lever comprises means engageable with said shaft to position said lever selectively in a lengthwise direction and thereby retain said other end of said lever in engagement with said support surface at different heights relative to said case.

9. A ski binding according to claim 8, in which said positioning means comprises a rotatable key mounted on said lever and having peripheral surface portions engageable with said shaft and disposed at different distances from the axis of rotation of said key.

10. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said detent means comprises a ball engageable in a recess in said base and said spring means comprises a helical compression spring wherein said one portion comprises one end bearing on said ball and wherein said another portion comprises the other end bearing on said lever. 

1. A ski binding permitting separation of a boot from the ski upon application of predetermined lateral force, said binding comprising a base fixed on said ski, a case mounted on said base for rotation about a vertical axis and having boot-engaging jaws, detent means acting between said case and base to secure said case normally against rotation relative to said base, spring means having one portion thereof disposed in said case and acting on said detent means and means for regulating the force exerted by said spring means on said detent means, said regulating means comprising a lever bearing at one end on another portion of said spring means, means on said case for supporting the other end of said lever at a selected one of different heights, means maintaining said other end of said lever at the selected heights, manually operable actuating means acting on said lever intermediate its ends to vary the force of said spring means on said detent means and means for visually indicating the position of said actuating means and hence the force applied by said spring means.
 2. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises an inclined surface provided with notches for receiving said other end of said lever in one or another of said notches.
 3. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises a smooth inclined plane engageable by said other end of said lever at selected positions along said inclined plane and thus at different heights relative to said case.
 4. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said supporting means comprises a stepped surface the steps of which are selectively engageable by said other end of said lever to support said other end at a selected height relative to said case.
 5. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said lever is provided intermediate its ends with an opening and in which said actuating means comprises a regulating shaft rotatable in said case and extending through said opening and cam means cooperating with said shaft to move said lever about said supporting means as a fulcrum to vary the force exerted by said spring means on said detent means upon rotation of said regulating shaft.
 6. A ski binding according to claim 5, in which said cam means comprises a helical ramp fixed relative to said case with its axis approximately coincident with the axis of rotation of said shaft and a radially projection on said shaft engaging said ramp.
 7. A ski binding according to claim 6, in which said ramp has the form of a reverse helix inclined in one axially direction for a portion of its extent and in the opposite direction for the remainder of its extent, whereby upon rotation of said shaft for one revolution in one direction said projection slides from a low point to a high point of said ramp and back to the starting point.
 8. A ski binding according to claim 5, in which said supporting means comprises a stationary inclined support surface engageable by said other end of said lever, and wherein the maintaining means associated with said lever comprises means engageable with said shaft to position said lever selectively in a lengthwise direction and thereby retain said other end of said lever in engagement with said support surface at different heights relative to said case.
 9. A ski binding according to claim 8, in which said positioning means comprises a rotatable key mounted on said lever and having peripheral surface portions engageable with said shaft and disposed at different distances from the axis of rotation of said key.
 10. A ski binding according to claim 1, in which said detent means comprises a ball engageable in a recess in said base and said spring means comprises a helical compression spring wherein said one portion comprises one end bearing on said ball and wherein said another portion comprises the other end bearing on said lever. 